Indian national accused of deadly Doonside crash a ‘flight risk’, refused bail
Harjinder Singh, 22, had been studying in Australian for six months when he allegedly ran a give way sign and killed elderly couple Frank and Carmen Sant in Doonside on the weekend.
Blacktown
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A man with an international driver’s licence accused of failing to give way at a notorious Doonside intersection, crashing his car and killing an elderly couple, will remain behind bars after being considered a flight risk.
Harjinder Singh, a 22-year-old Indian citizen, had been living in Australia for less than six months when his Nissan Pulsar allegedly drove through a give way sign at Crawford Rd and Coveny St before smashing into a Toyota Hilux ute and killing a couple in their 80s, a court has heard.
Mr Singh faced Blacktown Local Court today via video link, charged with six offences including dangerous and negligent driving occasioning death, over the August 24 crash that claimed the lives of Frank and Carmen Sant.
He was heard crying as CCTV footage of the crash was played in court today, which showed the ute being hit before it flipped on its side and crashed into a fence.
Mrs Sant, 81, died at the scene, while her husband of more than 50 years, died in hospital on Sunday, August 25.
The court heard Mr Singh was considered a flight risk after telling police on numerous occasions he wished to return home to India.
“He has requested to be deported instead of being charged in Australia,” the prosecution said.
“There are concerns in relation to him fleeing
“The prosecution is of the strong belief that if he is given bail, he may flee.”
In opposing bail, the prosecution cited a news.com.au article about Indian national Puneet Puneet, who is accused of fleeing Australia with a friend’s passport after allegedly crashing his car and killing a man in Melbourne in 2008.
The prosecution alleged Mr Singh had been untruthful to police in his interview after claiming he was driving at 40-50km/h at the time of the crash.
While Mr Singh is yet to be charged with a speeding offence, the prosecution said it was possible further charges would be laid as the result of an investigation by the Crash Investigation Unit.
Defence lawyer Mr Killson hit back at the prosecution’s concerns, rejecting claims Mr Singh posed a flight risk.
“This is a tragic accident … my client was in shock. When in shock, people may express a wanting to go home. I reject the prosecution’s submission that this constitutes a flight risk,” Mr Killson said.
Mr Killson also rejected any links between the 2008 Melbourne crash.
“No weight can be placed on the press article … the person in the article has a prior history of driving matters,” he said.
“My client has never been in custody before and comes before the court as a person of impeccable character.”
In arguing for bail, Mr Killson cited a Blacktown Advocate article from April about the intersection being a known ‘black spot’ and the subject of a community campaign to have a roundabout built.
“The neighbours have been concerned about his intersection for quite some time,” Mr Killson said.
“The council was aware this intersection is a black spot.
“Given it is a black spot and there was a petition to construct a roundabout, this is a case of momentary inattention.
The court heard Mr Singh arrived in Australia in March and had been living in a share house in Blacktown while studying a Masters in Accounting and working as a cleaner and trolleyman at Coles in Castle Hill.
Magistrate Karen Robinson refused bail, citing Mr Singh’s desire to return home, his lack of community ties and likelihood of receiving a full-time jail sentence if convicted.
He is expected to face Blacktown Local Court again on October 24.